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19 September 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Anthony Mthembu
GEADO donates sanitary towels to community development initiative 2024
From left to right: Morwesi Malebo, Founder of ‘Give a Flower for a Change’, and Geraldine Lengau, Senior Officer in the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice at UFS.

As part of its ongoing Dignity Kit Awareness Campaign, launched in 2023, the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently contributed to a community development initiative titled ‘Give a Flower for a Change.’ A batch of sanitary towels was recently officially handed over at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus, facilitated by Geraldine Lengau, Senior Officer in the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice.

According to Lengau, GEADO has made several similar donations on campus, benefitting initiatives such as the ‘No Student Hungry’ (NSH) programme, staff members through the Office of Organisational Development and Employee Wellness, as well as student walk-ins, among others. This latest donation extends the reach of the Dignity Kit Campaign beyond the campus community. ‘’This forms part of our mandate to raise awareness, particularly in uplifting the dignity of women. It is essential for the university to provide these dignity kits, as it demonstrates its commitment to addressing gender-based violence, supporting survivors, and promoting awareness,’’ said Lengau. She further emphasised that such donations foster a broader effort by the university to create a culture of respect, empathy, and support for surrounding communities, thus advancing social justice as articulated in the UFS’s Vision 130 strategic plan. 

Supporting Give a flower for a Change

The sanitary towels were handed over to Morwesi Malebo, founder of ‘Give a Flower for a Change’. According to Malebo, the initiative works closely with Unity Primary School in Bloemfontein, aiming to uplift the lives of children, particularly those from previously disadvantaged households. ‘’I have heard of instances at the school where some learners resorted to using cloth during their periods because they lacked access to sanitary towels,” Malebo shared. The donation will now help provide the necessary supplies to these children.

The initiative relies heavily on donations, accepting sanitary towels, school shoes, toiletries, and other essential items. Malebo stressed the significant impact of these contributions, noting that the learners are ‘’incredibly grateful, and the positive change in their lives is visible.” Without such resources, learners often feel self-conscious, which affects their performance at school. Collaborations with partners like GEADO, Malebo added, are crucial to the development of communities like hers. Consequently, she hopes to expand the initiative to high schools across Bloemfontein and maintain a strong partnership with GEADO.

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Three Kovsies in Protea Women’s Hockey team
2015-10-12

Tanya Britz
Photo: Johan Roux

Three Kovsies were included in the Protea Women’s Hockey team to compete in a qualifying Africa tournament for the Olympic Games.

Tanya Britz, Nicole Walraven, and Cornelle Botha were chosen to represent their country in Randburg, Johannesburg, from 23 October to 1 November 2015.

All three have been playing for the Kovsie Women’s Hockey team in the Varsity series. The team lost in the finals against the University of Johannesburg in Bloemfontein.

The trio are the only Free State players in the South African group.

Five current Protea players from the University of the Free State (UFS) formed part of the provisional South African squad for the tournament in Randburg.

The other two not fortunate enough to be included in the final Protea team were Liné Malan and Izelle Lategan.

All five players formed part of the Free State Women’s Team that reached the semi-finals in Division A of the interprovincial tournament for the first time since 1986.

Britz, who is nearing 50 tests for South Africa, will probably play club hockey overseas next year.

Walraven, who was named as South Africa’s U21 Player of the Year, and Botha both made their debut on senior level for their country this year.

Both would probably still be available for Kovsies next year.

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